Black Studies, Bachelor of Science
The central mission of the Black Studies discipline is to prepare students to critically understand and interpret complex global histories, cultures, and societies of African people, which includes continental and diasporic populations. We situate this knowledge within an interdisciplinary general discourse that teaches us about the totality of human experiences involving universal struggles for valued collective and individual identities. Students will employ research, methodology and theories drawn out of the collective Black experience to address relevant issues on behalf of global African communities and the whole of humanity.
Degree Student Learning Objectives
Students will be able to demonstrate global knowledge of Africana histories, civilizations, and social movements, and their impact on global cultures, civilizations, and societies. Through written research and oral communication skills, students will synthesize and employ research methods and theories that demonstrate comprehension of the Black Studies discipline.
Contact Information
184 Arts and Sciences Hall
Phone 402.554.2412
Fax 402.554.3883
Email: unoblackstudies@unomaha.edu
Facebook: facebook.com/unoblackstudies
Website
To obtain a B.S. with a major in Black Studies, a student must fulfill university, college, and departmental requirements.
Black Studies, Bachelor of Science Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - 34 Hours Required | ||
| Minimum of “C-“required | ||
| Fundamental Skills | 15 | |
Writing – 6 hrs. | ||
| ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | ||
| COLLEGE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY | ||
Oral Communication – 3 hrs. | ||
| PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS | ||
or CMST 2120 | ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | |
Quantitative Literacy – 3 hrs. | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING | ||
or MATH 1130 | QUANTITATIVE LITERACY | |
or MATH 1140 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS | |
or MATH 1300 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT | |
Data Literacy – 3 hrs. | ||
Select one from the following: | ||
| DATA LITERACY AND VISUALIZATION | ||
| ELEMENTARY STATISTICS | ||
Until Fall 2028, students can satisfy this requirement with an approved data literacy course, or any approved natural or social science general education course. | ||
| Breadth of Knowledge | 13 | |
Social Science – 3 hrs. | ||
Humanities – 3 hrs. | ||
Natural & Physical Science (must complete a lab) – 4 hrs. | ||
Arts – 3 hrs. | ||
| Individual and Social Responsibility | 6 | |
Cultural Knowledge – 3 hrs. | ||
Civic Knowledge and Engagement – 3 hrs. | ||
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS - 33 Hours Required | ||
| ^Course required pre-requisite(s) | ||
| Required Coursework | 15 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO BLACK STUDIES (**) | ||
| CLASSICAL AFRICAN CIVILIZATIONS (**) | ||
| BLACK WOMEN IN AMERICA (**) | ||
| EXPERIENCES IN BLACK STUDIES (**) | ||
| AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY I: 1619-1865 (**) | ||
or HIST 2050 | AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY II: 1865-1954 | |
| Select 6 of the Following: | 18 | |
| Note: Other 3000 or 4000 level courses may count toward the 18 hour requirement with approval of program | ||
| GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA | ||
| THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN POLITICS | ||
| RACE, PSYCHOLOGY & CULTURAL DIFFERENCE | ||
| LAW AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY | ||
| AFRICAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | ||
| AFRICANA RELIGIONS | ||
| AFRICAN AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGY (** ^) | ||
| THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE (^) | ||
| THE BLACK ATLANTIC (^) | ||
| SOUTH AFRICA & THE SOCIO POLITICS OF APARTHEID (** ^) | ||
| SLAVERY AND RACE RELATIONS IN THE AMERICAS (** ^) | ||
| BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION (** ^) | ||
| College Breadth (choose one option) | 15-30+ | |
| Option 1: Complete any UNO minor or undergraduate certificate - 15+ hours | ||
| Option 2: Additional General Education Requirements - 18+ hours | ||
Additional quantitative literacy - 3 hours | ||
Additional Social Science Gen. Ed. from another Discipline - 3 hours | ||
Additional Humanities Gen. Ed. from another Discipline - 3 hours | ||
Additional Nat. and Physical Science w/ or without Lab - 3-5 hours | ||
| Option 3: : CAS comprehensive major (50+ hours) OR any second UNO major (30+ hours) | ||
| Bachelor of Science Cognate Requirement | 15 | |
| Students in the B.S. degree program are required to complete 15 hours of cognate coursework, a field of specialization outside of their major based on their interests and/or career aspirations. Cognates are designed by the student in consultation with the undergraduate adviser. | ||
| ELECTIVES | ||
| Elective hours as required to reach a total of 120 hours | ||
Black Studies, Bachelor of Science Four-Year Plan
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BLST 1000 | INTRODUCTION TO BLACK STUDIES | 3 |
| BLST 1050 or HIST 1050 | CLASSICAL AFRICAN CIVILIZATIONS or CLASSICAL AFRICAN CIVILIZATIONS | 3 |
| ENGL 1150 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| CMST 1110 or CMST 2120 | PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS or ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | 3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
Attend Durango Days; other campus events. Set up a Handshake account and take the Pathway U career assessment. Attend the Student Involvement & Volunteer Fair to explore student organizations. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept-Oct. Work with your advisor to develop your Pathway in Stellic. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 1160 | COLLEGE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY | 3 |
| MATH 1120 | INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING or QUANTITATIVE LITERACY or QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS or COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT | 3-4 |
| BLST/WGST 1950 | BLACK WOMEN IN AMERICA | 3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
Attend campus events such as major exploration week to get an idea of interests and career paths. Schedule a resume review with UNO Career Services. Visit faculty office hours and ask about undergraduate research opportunities. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March. | ||
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| BLST 2410/HIST 2040 or HIST 2050 | AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY I: 1619-1865 or AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY II: 1865-1954 | 3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
Attend the Career & Internship Fair to start networking with employers. Look for volunteer, research, or part-time work to gain experience. Join a student organization or club related to your field or interests. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BLST 2100 | EXPERIENCES IN BLACK STUDIES | 3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
Attend a career fair for informational and networking purposes. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with new experiences. Investigate and apply for summer internships, research, or study abroad programs. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| BLST 3000/4000 Level | 3 | |
| B.S. Cognate course | 3 | |
| B.S. Cognate course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
Apply for a paid internship or research assistantship. Attend a mock interview workshop or use online interview tools with Career Services. Start researching and visiting graduate programs or professional schools. Visit Career Center, continue updating resume. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept-Oct. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BLST 3000/4000 Level | 3 | |
| BLST 3000/4000 Level | 3 | |
| B.S. Cognate course | 3 | |
| B.S. Cognate course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
Request letters of recommendation from faculty for jobs or grad school. Attend the All-Majors Career Fair with a plan to network. Meet with your advisor or submit for a graduation check-in to review remaining degree requirements. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| BLST 3000/4000 Level | 3 | |
| B.S. Cognate course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
Check in with Career Center for networking tips. Finalize graduate school applications or job search strategy. Attend a career fair and start applying for full-time jobs. Prepare for interviews and salary negotiations with Career Services. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BLST 3000/4000 Level | 3 | |
| BLST 3000/4000 Level | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
Complete your final advising check before graduation. Polish your resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile. Stay connected by joining alumni networks and professional organizations. Apply for graduation via MavLink. | ||
Make arrangements to take Black Studies' Exit Survey. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120-121 | |
College Breadth: Students should plan on using at least 15 hours of "Electives" to fulfill Option 1, 2, or 3, of the College of Arts and Sciences' breadth requirement.
Upper Level Credits: Students need 27 upper level credits throughout the degree with at least 18 upper level credits within the major. Electives may need to be selected at the 3000-4000 level to reach these minimums.
Additional Information About this Plan:
University Degree Requirements: The minimum number of hours for a UNO undergraduate degree is 120 credit hours. Please review the requirements for your specific program to determine all requirements for the program. In order to graduate on-time (four years for an undergraduate degree), you need to take 30 hours each year.
Placement Exams: For Math, English, World Language, a placement exam may be required. More information on these exams can be found at https://www.unomaha.edu/enrollment-management/testing-center/placement-exams/information.php
Transfer credit or placement exam scores may change suggested plan of study.
GPA Requirements: 2.0
Note: This plan provides a general guide, but your specific courses, experiences, and career goals may differ. Work with your academic advisor to ensure you’re meeting degree requirements and consult with career advisors to explore internships, research opportunities, and post-graduation plans. Regular check-ins will help you stay on track and make the most of your time at UNO!
Majors are encouraged to complete a community-based activity that includes at one or more of the following:
· a local community-based study project;
· a service-learning connected course;
· a study abroad experience;
· a local community-based internship experience.
Exit Survey Requirements:
For departmental assessment purposes, each major must complete an Exit Survey/questionnaire that will be available to all seniors prior to graduation.
Exit Survey must be completed or scheduled to be completed prior to graduation.